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Ex-President Trump has stated he would step in in Iran if its regime use lethal force against protesters, prompting warnings from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any involvement from Washington would cross a “red line”.

A Public Declaration Escalates Tensions

In a social media post on recently, the former president declared that if the country were to use deadly force against demonstrators, the US would “come to their rescue”. He noted, “we are locked and loaded, and ready to go,” without clarifying what that might mean in practice.

Unrest Enter the Next Phase Against a Backdrop of Financial Strain

Protests in Iran are now in their latest phase, representing the biggest since 2022. The present demonstrations were sparked by an sharp drop in the Iranian rial on recently, with its worth falling to about a historic low, further exacerbating an existing financial crisis.

Seven people have been reported killed, including a volunteer for the Basij security force. Recordings circulate showing officials armed with shotguns, with the noise of discharges heard in the video.

Iranian Authorities Issue Firm Warnings

Reacting to Trump’s threat, Ali Shamkhani, counselor for the supreme leader, cautioned that the nation's sovereignty were a “non-negotiable limit, not material for adventurist tweets”.

“Any intervening hand approaching our national security on pretexts will be severed with a swift consequence,” the official wrote.

Another leader, Ali Larijani, alleged the US and Israel of having a hand in the demonstrations, a typical response by Tehran when addressing domestic dissent.

“Washington needs to know that foreign interference in this internal issue will lead to turmoil in the Middle East and the destruction of American interests,” the official declared. “The American people must know that Trump is the one that started this adventure, and they should pay attention to the safety of their troops.”

Recent History of Conflict and Protest Scale

Iran has previously warned against American soldiers deployed in the region in the past, and in June it attacked a facility in the Gulf following the American attacks on its nuclear facilities.

The ongoing demonstrations have taken place in the capital but have also reached other urban centers, such as a major city. Business owners have closed their stores in protest, and students have gathered on campuses. Though economic conditions are the central grievance, demonstrators have also chanted anti-government slogans and criticized what they said was failures by officials.

Government Approach Evolves

The nation's leader, the president, first called for protest leaders, adopting a less confrontational approach than authorities did during the earlier demonstrations, which were put down harshly. Pezeshkian stated that he had directed the government to listen to the protesters’ “legitimate demands”.

The fatalities of protesters, though, could signal that authorities are adopting a tougher stance as they address the unrest as they continue. A announcement from the state security apparatus on Monday warned that it would respond forcefully against any outside meddling or “unrest” in the country.

While Iranian authorities deal with domestic dissent, it has tried to stave off accusations from the US that it is reconstituting its nuclear programme. Iran has stated that it is halted enrichment activities domestically and has indicated it is willing to engage in talks with the west.